The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned what it described as the “weaponization of the police by politicians” following the arrest of Kwara-based blogger, Ajala Adeshina Shuaib, known as Manjala, over alleged defamation.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, CITAD said the arrest, reportedly triggered by a petition from Tunji Buhari Sulyman, a legislative aide to Senator Saliu Mustapha, reflects a growing trend of using security agencies to silence critical voices.
Ya’u said the development was “deeply troubling,” adding that it demonstrates “a dangerous pattern in Nigeria where politicians deploy security agencies to settle personal disputes and silence critical voices.”
He said the organisation viewed the blogger’s arrest as a “blatant misuse of law enforcement powers and a direct assault on constitutionally protected freedom of expression.”
Quoting Section 39 of the Constitution, the statement noted that every Nigerian has the right to express opinions without fear.
“The continuous harassment, arrest and detention of bloggers, journalists and activists for merely expressing their views is a serious breach of our democratic values,” Ya’u said. “The Nigeria Police Force is not a private militia for politicians.”
CITAD expressed concern that the police were being diverted from their core duty of protecting Nigerians at a time when insecurity remains widespread.
“At a time when bandits, kidnappers and violent groups are terrorizing communities, it is shocking that police officers are being deployed to arrest a blogger over a Facebook post,” Ya’u said. “The police should be part of the architecture to secure Nigerians, rather than waste public resources on illegal efforts to protect politicians from being asked to account for their actions.”
The organisation said arbitrary arrests of this nature weaken civic participation and erode public confidence in key state institutions.
“Using the police to criminalize criticism or opinion sets a dangerous precedent and creates an environment where accountability becomes impossible,” Ya’u warned.
CITAD also highlighted the implications of such actions on journalists, digital rights advocates, youth content creators and human rights defenders.
“Democracy cannot flourish where dissent is treated as a crime,” the statement added.
The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force to end what it described as the misuse of the institution for political or personal interests.
It urged the police to “focus on their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property,” while demanding the “unconditional release of Ajala Shuaib.”
CITAD also asked the police to advise Tunji Buhari Sulyman to seek redress in court if he feels defamed.
“If he feels defamed, the courts are the right place to seek redress and not self-help through illegal use of the police,” Ya’u said.
The organisation further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act decisively to stop what it termed the growing abuse of state security agencies for political scores.
It called on the President to direct the Inspector-General of Police to issue and enforce guidelines preventing arrests over defamation or political disagreements.
CITAD reaffirmed its commitment to defend journalists, digital creators and activists against intimidation.
“CITAD stands firmly with all Nigerians who speak truth to power, and will not allow intimidation to silence advocacy for a safer, freer and more democratic Nigeria,” Ya’u said.